KLM commits nearly €3 bln to Netherlands’ first SAF plant

08 / 08 / 2026

By Marwa Nassar - -

KLM and SkyNRG have marked the start of construction of the Netherlands’ first facility dedicated to producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with the plant expected to begin production in 2028.

KLM, which co-founded SkyNRG in 2009, has committed to purchasing at least 75,000 tons of SAF annually, equivalent to 75% of the plant’s total output. The long-term commitment represents nearly €3 billion and is expected to help finance the project.

Scaling up SAF:

The Delfzijl-based facility, known as DSL-01, is designed to help scale up SAF production in the Netherlands. KLM has been involved in developing the SAF market from its early stages and considers the fuel one of the most effective ways to reduce aviation’s lifecycle CO₂ emissions.

While SAF produces the same CO₂ emissions as fossil kerosene during flight, its lifecycle emissions can be at least 65% and more than 90% lower, depending on the production pathway.

“As the first airline in the world, our long-term offtake agreement directly contributes to the financing and realization of this facility. Today, together with SkyNRG and other invited guests, we mark a milestone by celebrating the start of construction, making this project finally tangible. I am proud that KLM, as a co-founder of SkyNRG and the largest purchaser of the fuel, is taking an important step in scaling up SAF production in the Netherlands and further advancing the sustainability of aviation,” said Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM.

Costly transition:

SAF currently costs three to four times more than fossil kerosene, highlighting the need for further investment and policy support to make the fuel more widely available and affordable.

KLM is calling on the Dutch government to accelerate SAF production, including through a national SAF fund, in line with recommendations in the Wennink report, “The Route to Future Prosperity.”

The DSL-01 project comes as the Netherlands targets a 14% SAF blending rate by 2030.

Milestone for Dutch SAF:

“Today’s milestone in Delfzijl shows that large-scale SAF production in the Netherlands is becoming a reality. We are proud to take this step together with KLM and our partners, whose long-term commitment has helped make this project possible. DSL-01 is an important step toward scaling SAF production and accelerating the transition to more sustainable aviation,” said Maarten van Dijk, CEO of SkyNRG.

KLM said the project demonstrates what can be achieved through long-term industry partnerships, while underscoring the need for additional projects to scale SAF production and meet the Netherlands’ 2030 target.